Sanford receives first Erkki Ruoslahti Award for Transformational Leadership
AuthorScott LaFee
Date
December 13, 2024
At a special event December 11, attended by trustees from Sanford Burnham Prebys and featuring brief talks by many of the Institute’s newest faculty, the inaugural Erkki Ruoslahti Award for Transformational Leadership was presented to T. Denny Sanford.
The new award honors recipients whose visionary leadership drives positive change, inspires groundbreaking solutions and contributes to the transformation of industries and society.
It is named after one of the institute’s earliest faculty and its president from 1989 to 2002. Ruoslahti made seminal contributions to the discovery of cell adhesion receptors known as integrins, helped developed a novel class of tumor-homing peptides and advanced the science of nanomedicine.
His past honors include elected membership to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Medicine, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the European Molecular Biology Organization, the Japan Prize, Gairdner Foundation International Award, G.H.A. Clowes Award, Robert J. and Claire Pasarow Foundation Award and Jacobaeus International Prize.
In 2022, Ruoslahti was announced as one of three winners of the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award, sometimes called “America’s Nobel.”
Sanford is, of course, one of the institute’s three namesakes, a distinguished businessman and philanthropist who has long supported its work and vision.
“Denny Sanford has been a friend, supporter and mentor for many, many years. He believes in the importance and value of both basic and translational science, of helping patients and the world become better and healthier,” said Brenner.
“His past, present and future support of Sanford Burnham Prebys is critical to our vision and mission. No one has done more. This award is a heart-felt, tangible symbol of our gratitude.”
Watch Award Presentation
Institute News
A year-end note from David Brenner
AuthorDavid Brenner
Date
December 19, 2023
This past year — my first full calendar year as president and CEO of Sanford Burnham Prebys — has been exciting and immensely rewarding. We’ve accomplished a lot and, more importantly, laid the groundwork for a wealth of future achievements.
It begins with having a plan. We are in the midst of a biomedical revolution, one in which the old ways of thinking about and doing science no longer address the complexities of modern research or the greater needs in public health.
Sanford Burnham Prebys is particularly positioned to adapt and lead in this new world by combining distinct and powerful resources with a unified mission driven by ambitious goals that emphasize disease-focused centers combined with enabling technology programs.
Of course, doing so requires a brilliant faculty, one that boasts exceptional skills and vision not just in this moment, but in the years to come. Our faculty know what to do. Our newest faculty promise to further propel and elevate. In less than a year, we have hired eight early-career scientists and physicians, an unprecedented number in such a short time.
They are among the best and brightest, coming from elite labs and institutions across the country: Shengie Feng, PhD (Howard Hughes Medical Institute and UCSF); Kelly Kersten, PhD (UCSF); Angela Liou, MD (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) Sanjeev Ranade, PhD (Gladstone Institutes); Sanju Sinha, PhD (National Cancer Institute); Xueqin Sherine Sun, PhD (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory); Kevin Tharp, PhD (UCSF); and Xiao Tian, PhD (Harvard Medical School).
A couple have already started their next chapters of their careers at Sanford Burnham Prebys, including already landing new grants! Others begin in January or March. Please welcome them.
These eight scientists represent the first wave. There are more to come, the benefit of Denny Sanford’s landmark gift early in 2023.
It has been a robust year in science at Sanford Burnham Prebys, too.
The Cancer Center received a merit extension from the NCI related to its support grant, a rare recognition of ongoing excellence. The Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics continues to be the go-to place for drug discovery, highlighted by a trio of recent awards totaling almost $25 million to pursue novel leads and promising therapies to treat all manners of addiction.
Sanford Burnham Prebys’ latest gala celebrated an old, dear friend, a brand-new vision and a crowd in fab form.
The event began with an evening filled with gratitude, recognition and, well, a look to the future.
On Saturday night, more than 280 friends, faculty and supporters of Sanford Burnham Prebys gathered at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa to celebrate the event’s theme: “A Future Filled with Discoveries and Cures.”
But more specifically, attendees paid homage to two men: philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, whose long and enduring support has helped shape and sustain Sanford Burnham Prebys; and David Brenner, MD, the institute’s (newish) president and CEO, who is using Sanford’s most recent gift to implement a bold, new strategic plan.
“Denny has always been a friend, guide and mentor,” said Brenner. “He has made much of what I do—what we will do together—possible.”
It was an evocative evening, with sartorially splendid guests arriving to a scene best described as a 1960s-era “lavish London lounge,” featuring vibrant colors and rich materials, roaming magicians; and a strolling trio of trumpet, trombone and tambourine players.
The festivities formally opened with welcoming remarks from Honorary Trustee Malin Burnham, who noted that “the Institute is at a dramatic time and place—with new faces, a new vision and an old friend.”
Burnham, who has served on the Board since 1982, noted that Sanford, who could not attend the event, was watching a live stream of the event from his home in South Dakota. “He can see and hear us,” Burnham said, waving.
Following dinner, Bill Gerhart, the current chair of the Sanford Burnham Prebys Board of Trustees, stepped up to acknowledge Sanford’s long history of support to the Institute and all of the donors, supporters and staff in the room who “make things happen”; and to introduce Brenner as “a guy who really can make things happen.”
Brenner, who also holds the Donald Bren Chief Executive Chair, spoke eloquently about Sanford before briefly detailing strategic plans for the Institute, one intended to put Sanford Burnham Prebys at the forefront of the current biomedical research revolution.
“Here’s my elevator speech,” Brenner said, inviting attendees to follow along by reading a program insert.
Our Mission
We translate science into health.
Biomedical research is undergoing a revolution, driven by big data, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
We are uniquely positioned to lead because…
We study the toughest diseases: cancer, heart, mind and metabolic. We are forward-looking, unafraid of change or challenge. We are collaborative, flexible, multi-disciplinary and team-focused. We embrace data science. We promote entrepreneurship. We are central to a vibrant, local biomedical community.
A key part of the strategic plan, Brenner said, is embodied in the new cadre of young scientists recently recruited to Sanford Burnham Prebys from “some of the best labs at some of the best institutions in the country.”
Their recruitment (and new hires to follow) are the benefit of a $70 million gift from Sanford to create up to 20 new faculty positions in the next few years in diverse research areas including cancer, neurodegeneration and computational biology.
Four of the six new scientists were in attendance: Sanju Sinha, PhD, from the National Cancer Institute; Sanjeev Ranade, PhD, from Gladstone Institutes; Kelly Kersten, PhD, from UC San Francisco; and Xiao Tian, PhD, from Harvard Medical School.
Sinha joined the Institute in June. Kevin Tharp, PhD, from UCSF, arrives in November. The other four researchers, including Shengjie Feng, PhD, from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and UCSF, officially join Sanford Burnham Prebys in January 2024.
Brenner then introduced a special four-minute video: a visual thank-you to Sanford and a visionary peek at the Institute’s next steps and aspirations. The video ended with a standing ovation.
With the lights still dim, the entertainment portion of the evening began: a live reimagining of John Lennon’s beloved 1971 song “Imagine,” dedicated to Sanford and the new strategic plan.
“Imagine there’s no illness It’s easy if we try…”
“You may say Denny’s a dreamer But he’s not the only one. We hope someday you’ll join us And the world can be as one.”
Then it was the Beatles’ tribute band “Abbey Road Show,“ a 70-minute set of music and narration chronicling the Fab Four, followed by nightcaps, conversation and thoughts about the next day—when the future begins.
Note: For your own free, handy, wallet-sized mission card or more information about how you can support Sanford Burnham Prebys, please contact the Philanthropy team.
Institute News
Tight employment a sign of resilience: Interview with David Brenner
AuthorMiles Martin
Date
February 9, 2023
Sanford Burnham Prebys recently received a substantial gift from namesake benefactor T. Denny Sanford, specifically to hire 20 new faculty positions in research areas including cancer, neurodegeneration and computational biology.
For president and CEO David A. Brenner, MD, the gift provides the opportunity to bring the very best and brightest to the Institute. It is also a sign of how resilient and successful the biomedical research sector is in the San Diego region.
“Our goal is to recruit the smartest, most innovative scientists from the best laboratories in the top institutions in the world,” said, David Brenner. “In addition, this new gift will be used to invest in our current faculty and research infrastructure.”
The success of life science as an industry has made finding talented researchers harder over the years. According to a report published by CBRE, the number of researchers working in life sciences grew 79% from 2001 to 2021. Yet despite that growth, life science occupations had the second-lowest unemployment rate of all U.S. occupations at just 0.6%.
“There is an incredible demand for researchers and scientists, and shortage of biomedical skilled labor in general. This tight labor market and competition for talent is linked to the success of institutes and need for world-class scientists,” Brenner said, adding that to help meet the demand, Sanford Burnham Prebys doubled the size of its entering class of its graduate school this year.
Research institutes like Sanford Burnham Prebys compete against for-profit private and public companies for talented graduates to come work for them, which is why philanthropic donations like the one from Sanford are important to nonprofit research enterprises.
“If you look at how nonprofit biomedical research institutions get support, there are not as many avenues for funding. Competitive grants do not provide project startup funds,” Brenner said. “T. Denny Sanford’s recent gift will allow Sanford Burnham Prebys to attract the most promising scientists from around the world and support them as they develop into world-class scientists. In addition, the donation will allow Sanford Burnham Prebys to invest in our research infrastructure and technology, imperative when recruiting the brightest minds in biomedical research.”
Sanford Burnham Prebys celebrates 46 years of discoveries
AuthorMiles Martin
Date
July 27, 2022
Happy birthday, Sanford Burnham Prebys
Sanford Burnham Prebys recently hosted a celebration to honor the anniversary of the Institute’s founding. More than 200 scientists, students and staff gathered to commemorate 46 years of world-class biomedical research.
“I’ve seen the Institute grow from just five employees to the more than 500 we have today,” said Institute Professor José Luis Millán, PhD, who emceed the event. Millán joined the Institute in 1977, just one year after its founding. “What is important for the Institute now, as we reach middle age, is to reflect on our successes as we move forward into the next decades of our life.”
Attendees enjoyed an all-you-can-eat ice cream truck and a prize raffle, where guests won Institute hats, mugs and other prizes. Longtime supporters of the Institute also spoke, including Malin Burnham, Nina Fishman, and Debbie Turner, partner of the late Conrad Prebys. The party closed with a recorded birthday song from Institute Professor Hudson Freeze, PhD
Burnham recounted how he met the Institute’s two other namesakes, T. Denny Sanford and Conrad Prebys, reflecting on how these chance meetings helped the Institute grow to become the world-class facility it is today. He also expressed his gratitude to the staff.
“All of you are a part of the family, and that is what I’ve enjoyed as much as anything in my 40 years with this organization,” said Burnham during his comments. “I want to thank each and every one of you for being a part of this organization.”
Decades of discoveries Sanford Burnham Prebys was founded on July 7, 1976, as the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation. Since then, the Institute has established itself as a world leader in biomedical research, where scientists can work collaboratively to discover cures.
It all started when founder William Fishman, MD, PhD, left his post as professor, director and founder of the Tufts Cancer Research Center in Boston. He, along with wife and career partner, Lillian Fishman, moved west to San Diego with a $180,000 grant from the National Cancer Institute, which they used to start the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation.
“[The Fishmans] were dedicated to the idea of pure science,” explains Nina Fishman, daughter of William and Lillian. Nina Fishman is a longtime supporter of Sanford Burnham Prebys, and she recently coauthored Development of a California Research Organization, a book chronicling the Institute’s history. “They wanted a place where scientists could focus on their work.”
At that time, the foundation consisted of five employees, a rented office space, and lab equipment pieced together from spare parts. Today, it is a world-class medical research institute with a graduate school and one of only seven NCI-designated basic cancer centers in the country.
“My parents were the founders of the past, but you are the founders of the future,” adds Fishman.
Institute News
SBP and friends remember Conrad Prebys with a touching tribute
AuthorHelen I. Hwang
Date
October 11, 2017
With the brilliant sun descending over the famed Torrey Pines Golf Course overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a close knit of friends and loved ones gathered to pay tribute to Conrad Prebys and his lasting impact on Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP). It might’ve been the same kind of gorgeous sunset that inspired Prebys to put down roots in California after moving from Indiana with $500 in his pocket.
T. Denny Sanford and Malin Burnham came to the podium and spoke about the loss of their dear friend Conrad. Burnham spoke about how much he admired Conrad’s “gut” feeling, which inspired him to become a loyal supporter to the Institute. In 2015, SBP was the recipient of Prebys’ extraordinary philanthropic gift of $100 million.
SBP President Kristiina Vuori, MD, PhD, recounted Conrad’s delightful visits and his longstanding relationship with the Institute. Michael Jackson, PhD, senior vice president of Drug Discovery and Development and head of the Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, known as the Prebys Center, spoke highly about how impressed he was with Conrad’s intellectual curiosity and passion for science.
“Conrad’s generosity has enabled us to become a world-class facility, with the Prebys Center being recognized as one of the most comprehensive, nonprofit drug discovery centers in the world, conducting innovative drug discovery across all major disease areas – cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease,” said Dr. Jackson. In large part because of Conrad’s pivotal contribution, SBP is often chosen as a collaborative partner of choice among pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies, academic institutions and academic foundations all over the United States.
Debbie Turner also attended the tribute and enjoyed the walk down memory lane with Conrad and his relationship to SBP with a photo presentation of years past and a dedicated short video SBP produced celebrating Conrad’s life.
Guests enjoyed an outdoor buffet reception, while mingling with scientists who attended SBP’s Annual Symposium earlier that day. Nearly 300 scientists from all over the world gathered to attend SBP’s annual conference, which was themed “Frontiers in Single Cell Biology.”
After the touching tribute that brought a few of the guests to tears, friends gathered for a light reception of dessert and coffee and said their “goodbyes” until the next SBP event.
Our Annual Gala will be held on Saturday, October 14 at Coasterra on Harbor Island in downtown San Diego. Tickets are available here: SBP’s 2017 Annual Gala.
Irwin and Joan Jacobs with Denny Sanford
Sheila and Jeffrey Lipinsky with Debbie Turner
Institute News
Welcome to the new Beaker!
Authorpbartosch
Date
April 29, 2015
In March, we celebrated the fifth anniversary of the launch of Sanford-Burnham’s science blog Beaker. Today, we are thrilled to announce that we have completely redesigned our blog to make it more intuitive, visually appealing, and interactive. We’ll get into the features of the new Beaker further down, but first, let’s travel back in time…
It all started at 11:34 a.m. Eastern Time on March 24, 2010, with a post about T. Denny Sanford’s landmark gift of $50 million to the Institute. As a result of the gift, we changed our name from the Burnham Institute for Medical Research to Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute. This story kicked off Beaker, which now consists of almost 800 posts and has been visited by more than 2 million people since 2010.
A lot has happened at Sanford-Burnham since March 2010. Our scientists have made numerous significant discoveries, they’ve published hundreds of scientific papers, and we recently introduced our new Institute CEO and 10-year strategic vision. Beaker is your source for exciting news and scientific advances at Sanford-Burnham.
New Beaker Features
Our goal has been to make the reading experience unique and easy for all fans of scientific research. Here are a few of the new features:
Dashboard homepage: The new Beaker homepage is much more visually appealing, with a focus on images and themes. The new blog design was also chosen because it works nicely on mobile devices and tablets.
Categories: You can now find all stories in one of our new categories:
Research News – stories about our scientific publications
Improving Human Health – stories about disease research that has a tangible impact on health
What’s Happening – posts about events, industry trends, partnerships, grants, etc.
People – profiles and interviews with Sanford-Burnham scientists, leadership, and staff
Integration with social media: You can now read our live Twitter feed in the right panel of the Beaker homepage. And our Facebook integration makes it easy to leave comments and track discussion threads on our blog posts. Try it now!
We hope you are as excited about the new Beaker as we are. Let us know what you think by commenting on Facebook and Twitter, using the hashtag #TheNewBeaker.
